Silly Season often throws curveballs. That doesn’t happen at Hendrick Motorsports unless it’s by their own choice. Chase Elliott is entering a contract year, and, man, what a bizarre world that would be if he wasn’t in the No. 9 Chevy. Jeff Gordon was pressed on the negotiations on Friday.
Gordon appeared on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio this week as a part of a media blitz following the signing of Connor Zilisch, starting in the 2028 Cup Series Season. While that was certainly a topic of discussion for the appearance, the topic of Chase Elliott and his contract status was brought up.
Gordon is confident in locking up Elliott
Hendrick Motorsports has Alex Bowman on a one-year extension before he retires and Connor Zilisch takes over the No. 48 Ally Camaro in 2028. William Byron recently locked up an extension. Kyle Larson is amid a long-term deal with HMS.
What about Elliott’s status? Gordon responded.
“As far as we’re concerned at Hendrick, we want him to be one of those guys that drives at Hendrick forever,” said Gordon. “We’ve had some conversations, but there’s a lot of parts and pieces.
“From partners and discussions with Chase that will have to take place and need to get buttoned down. But we feel very confident.”
Gordon doubles down on Elliott
While the exact timetable for Elliott’s contract wasn’t known before Friday, Gordon did reveal that it does expire at the end of the 2027 season, when talking about a timetable for re-signing Elliott.
He also doubled down on how important it is to him and Hendrick to get this done. Hopefully sooner than later.
“And listen, when we talk about a Chase Elliott, he’s like a franchise guy. So, yeah, the conversations usually happen a little earlier with someone like that, but we do have time.
“It’s not until the end of next year.”
Elliott enters this Sunday’s Dollar Tree 301 at the Magic Mile at No. 6 in the Chase standings with two races to go. Elliott is the highest-ranking Hendrick Motorsports driver in the standings and the top over Chevrolet.
How to watch the Dollar Tree 301
On Sunday, August 23rd, NASCAR makes its return to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the Dollar Tree 301. This will be the third race on USA Sports, which will carry NASCAR coverage through the end of the season.
The race begins at 2:00 p.m. ET. It will be televised on USA Network.
Last year’s race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway offered a first. Ryan Blaney notched his first win at Loudon and had to hold off a furious charge by Josh Berry to score it.
It was a Penske-dominated day. Blaney and teammate Joey Logano led 263 of 301 laps in the race. Josh Berry, for all intents and purposes in the fourth Penske driver, led another 10 laps. All three of those drivers are hoping for repeat performances this year.
